5/12/2010 Local Pub Rock

Subject	Local Pub Rock
PostedDate	12/5/2010
	Saturday night and I decide to take the easy local option for a change - waiting for buses and trains in the middle of the freezing night isn't my idea of fun and it was -5 in London last night.  A pub with really good beer and live music only a few minutes walk away seems a very attractive option for tonight - especially as I haven't had a night out since Motörhead a week ago. So I find myself watching Absolute Rock. What a terrible name for a band - why give yourself a name that sounds like a boring radio station that plays 'rock music for beginners'?  Maybe that's the idea?  They used to be called Metal Detector, which was a far better name. I saw this band at the East Barnet Festival earlier this year and they looked completely different than they do tonight. Back then they looked like a boring pub rock band and the singer wore shit shorts that looked ridiculous as he sang songs by artists like Whitesnake. Tonight they look more like a comedy 80's metal band - although I assume this is actually intentional! Guess what? They sound just like they look! Leather trousers, bad wigs, aviator shades - welcome to the 1980's! Most their covers come from that decade, although there is a spot of Hendrix. They are decent enough musicians to pull it off, although the vocals are strained at times and the sound mix is bass heavy. In spite of obviously having invested quite a bit of money on equipment the guitar sound is thin and weedy sounding with no guts or warmth. They are quite entertaining though, and it's free to get in plus the beer is excellent. Actually, the beer is a bit too excellent - it's some sort of super-strength 'Winter Warmer' version of Abbot Ale.